Gran Fondo Chaves, 'Feato' and Roper on top in Bright and Super Series reaches finale

Jesse Featonby (Drapac-EF) takes out the win at the Tour of Bright (Twitter @Cyclingvic)

Former triathlete Jesse Featonby (Drapac-EF) has taken the biggest stage race win of his career, winning the most mountainous race of the Australian racing calendar, the Bright Brewery Tour of Bright. In the elite women's it was Emily Roper that continued her stellar form from the back half of the National Road Series, celebrating the victory in the event that contains the infamous climb of Mt Hotham.

After the 2017 Tour of Bright was cancelled due to dangerous weather conditions, the 2018 Tour of Bright came around with much anticipation amongst the Victorian racing community.

Featonby won the men's A-Grade by 28 seconds from BMC stagiare Alexander Evans (Mobius-Bridgelane) with Michael Potter (Australian Cycling Academy) third at 44 seconds in arrears.

Roper beat out Tour of Tasmania winner Justine Barrow (Rush Womens) and Michaela Parsons to the win in what was a small field for the women's event.

Jack Sutton (Oliver's Real Food Racing) in front of Justin Gassner (Lightsview) on the road, but behind in the standings (Cycling SA)

Just two points separate series leader Justin Gassner of Lightsview and Jack Sutton of Oliver’s Real Food Racing in the men's competition ahead of the final round of competition. Gassner took the lead in the series by a solitary point after his Lightsview team rode a strong race in the team time trial at Lenswood.

In Round 7 – a Lightsview controlled bunch had let a breakaway slip away and eat up the majority of the points on offer with Jarrad Drizners (SASI) taking his second win for the series. Gassner and Sutton both wanted the remaining points in the bunch sprint and to the naked eye it looked like Sutton had closed the gap.

The finish line camera would show that it was, in fact, Gassner who had taken the upper hand by the narrowest of margins, giving him a slightly bigger, but still incredibly slender, lead going into the final round.

This isn’t the first time that Sutton has found himself in this vaunted position. In 2016, Sutton was locked in a two-way battle with Gassner’s then teammate Russel van Hout. Van Hout, a former Australian Champion and Giro d’Italia star used a combination of team tactics and brute force to overcome the newcomer in Sutton. Now two years on from this battle, Sutton is much more experienced after spending the last two seasons racing with Oliver’s across Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Asked whether this experience has motivated him to overcome Gassner, Sutton replied: “Absolutely, the Lightsview boys will no doubt make it hard, but I’m looking forward to it!”

The final round of competition is a street circuit around the soon to be complete AV Jennings development of St Clair and includes tight turns, flowing straights amongst a tranquil urban backdrop, set to be run on Sunday December 9.

Esteban Chaves continues to impress with his expressive racing and personality.

Colombian Esteban Chaves has revealed a surprising twist for his inaugural Gran Fondo Esteban Chaves, with participants signing up for a race of life, rather than a traditional race on the bike.

Launched last month with the promise people from all corners of the globe can be involved, the likes of Eddy Merckx, Purito Rodriguez, Mathew Hayman, Paolo Bettini, Mariana Pajón and Annemiek Van Vleuten and numerous Colombian musicians and celebrities.

"Bike racing has changed my life and now we have the opportunity to use it to change the lives of even more children," said Chaves.

“In 2013 I was incredibly lucky to come across Dr Sandoval after so many doctors told me my career was over, and now I want to give more smiles to more children, like the one Dr. Sandoval gave me."

The initial funds raised will go to funding an operation that will potentially given Colombian youngster Kevin the chance to walk again, with four other children in line to receive operations if enough money is raised.

“I met Kevin during my time off the bike this year and his spirit and passion for life has been truly inspirational for me these past months. We want to help him, and kids like him that don’t have the money, to improve their quality of life alone."

The larger goal of the fund-raising initiative is to see a specialist facility for the support of disadvantaged children established.

“It’s true our dreams are big, but together we can make them reality," said Chaves. "Every contribution, big or small, will help so please join us in this dream.”